The West Loop nordic ski trail at Skyliners Sno-Park.

As far as winter sports go, I’m more likely to prioritize skiing or hiking over snowshoeing, as it’s easier than strapping a cumbersome apparatus to my feet.

But one of my favorite aspects of snowshoeing is it’s something I can do with my dog. An Alaskan Husky, Juno was designed for playing in the snow and together, we’ve explored the trails of Wanoga Sno-Park and Edison Butte Sno-park.

However, dogs aren’t welcome at all of Central Oregon’s sno-parks. And unfortunately, Edison Butte Sno-park is temporarily closed after the summer fires raged across the Bachelor Complex.

From Nov. 1 through May 1, the U.S. Forest Service prohibits dogs on the north side of the Cascade Lakes Highway.

Earlier this month. I went snowshoeing with Juno at Skyliners Sno-park for the first time. We started on the West Loop, continuing about a half mile along Tumalo Creek Nordic Loop.

We meandered until we saw a small hill that led out of trees. We climbed up the hill, which afforded us a view of the surrounding landscape. Down below, we watched as cross-country skiers and snowshoers passed by on the trail, almost all of them accompanied by canine companions.

After descending the hill, we headed back east to the parking lot, topping out our excursion at about a mile.

We passed a group from Portland on snowshoes. They were planning to head to Tumalo Falls. The main access road to the falls is closed during the winter, making skiing, snowshoeing, or fat biking the only way to see the falls. Winter recreationists may make the journey a 6-mile loop by returning via Tumalo Falls Road.

More Coverage: First-timer experiences joys, difficulties of snowshoeing at Meissner Sno-park in Bend

Tips on sno-park permits

Unlike other sno-parks, no sno-park permit is required for Skyliners Sno-park. Had I known this, it would have saved me the trip to REI to purchase a single-day permit for $4.

While purchasing the permit, I learned another trick about purchasing sno-park permits. The REI rep shared that she typically purchases a handful of sno-park permits at the beginning of the season, which she has on hand to use whenever she desires.

Up until that moment, I’d incorrectly assumed a permit had to be purchased the same day. Each season, I debated purchasing an annual permit ($25), knowing I wouldn’t visit the six times required to justify the price.

So I purchased two permits, stowing the second in my car for a future adventure. At least next time I’m ready to head to a sno-park this season, I’ll be ready.

More Coverage: Snowshoeing for the first time of the season at Wanoga Sno-Park near Bend